Short answer: the Q Acoustics 5020, but both are flawed, though neither ranks well in its class. The Klipsch R-41M has unusually nice binding posts and well-controlled bass impedance, yet its CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp peak around 1kHz the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose” plus poor directivity. The 5020 ranks #76 of 90 against the R-41M’s #88 of 90, though Erin found its top end roughly 3-5dB elevated over a recessed 1-3kHz region. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 90 bookshelf speakers, and the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini, ranked #2 at $900, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Buy the Q Acoustics 5020 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch R-41M if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 5020 | Klipsch R-41M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 per pair | $199.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #76 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #88 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1” (25mm) tweeter | 4” spun-copper IMG woofer, 1” Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 7.1”W x 11.5”D | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each | 7 lbs (3.18 kg) each |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.63 | 3.04 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.55 | 6.03 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Q Acoustics 5020 compares with other leading options:
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Audio First Fidelia
- Philharmonic Ceramic Mini vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Ascend Sierra 1 v2 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Q Acoustics 5020
- XMechanik Mechano23 DIY vs Q Acoustics 5020
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The Two Speakers In Full
Q Acoustics 5020: $1,199.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Erin found distortion well controlled at normal levels: below 1% down to about 50Hz at 86dB/1m. Its 87dB measured sensitivity is unremarkable rather than hard to drive, and it maintains acceptable output for typical 80-85dB listening. The rear port can be plugged for placement flexibility. Measured bass extension of 103Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.1dB.
Cons: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range. The shallow woofer crossover and steeper tweeter slope contribute to the off-axis discontinuity, while the port has a strong 1kHz resonance. Bass is limited: Erin measured F3 103Hz and F10 48Hz; at 96dB distortion reaches about 3% by 100Hz, and he bottomed the woofer when pushed hard. He preferred the less-expensive 3020i’s linearity and did not recommend the 5020 for neutral listening without EQ.
Full Q Acoustics 5020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 7.1”W x 11.5”D |
| Drivers | 5” (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.55 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Klipsch R-41M: $199.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Binding posts are unusually nice for the price point, and impedance is well controlled in the bass, easing the load on the amplifier. The horn-loaded tweeter can play loud without strain. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp, prominent peak around 1kHz that the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose,” plus poor directivity that makes the off-axis sound diverge sharply from on-axis. Sensitivity is only 85dB through most of the music-energy range despite Klipsch’s horn-loaded reputation for efficiency. In an A/B against a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, the R-41M had “no bass” and all mid-to-treble energy; the reviewer’s verdict was “please avoid the Klipsch R-41M unless you just want a speaker as an ornament.”
Full Klipsch R-41M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Drivers | 4” spun-copper IMG woofer, 1” Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Power Handling | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.04 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.03 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 7 lbs (3.18 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch R-41M vs PMC twenty.21
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- Klipsch R-41M vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
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